Carlton in AFL comeback win over Eagles

Rob Forsaith

So when Malthouse describes Carlton's three-point snatch-and-grab win over West Coast as one of the better he's ever seen, it's fair to say this was something special from the Blues.

Carlton, the same club said to be in crisis after failing to register a win in the opening four rounds, stormed home with five consecutive goals in the final 10 minutes of Saturday's thriller at Etihad Stadium.

When substitute Troy Menzel slotted the fifth of that incredible run, there were two-and-a half-minutes remaining in the contest.

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The Eagles were not done with.

Scott Selwood and Josh Kennedy both hit the post, while Luke Shuey missed a difficult chance and somehow the Blues prevailed 14.8 (92) to 12.17 (89).

That alone made it a memorable match.

But for Malthouse, who had to shuffle the magnets this week after losing David Ellard, Ed Curnow, Andrew Carrazzo, Chris Judd and Tom Bell to injury, it was much more than that.

"It wasn't (just) the last 10 minutes. I just thought it was a very gutsy win all up," Malthouse said.

"We lost five players from last week - all injured, all can go through the middle. So you have to change everything up.

"I thought it was one of the better wins I've been associated with, and I mean that."

The pressure of Jeff Garlett and Brock McLean, both recalled for this match, was telling for the hosts.

McLean finished with nine clearances, five tackles and 32 touches; while Garlett booted a game-high three goals.

Carlton captain Marc Murphy (32 touches, 11 tackles and nine clearances) was again one of the leading contenders for best-on-ground honours as his side made it two wins on the trot.

Having trailed by four goals halfway through the final quarter and looked so devoid of confidence, how did they do it?

"The way we were going, it could very well have been a five or six-goal loss," Malthouse said.

"At the end of the day it (momentum) is gathered by a mass of people.

"One player is not going to change the course of that game, it has to be your collective."

The Eagles had only themselves to blame for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, kicking a lamentable 1.8 from 18 Inside-50s in the final term.

"To get a lead like that and not ice the game is really disappointing," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.

"We'll learn a lot from today but it really hurts."

Chris Yarran was subbed off with a hamstring concern, but Malthouse expected he would be right to face Collingwood on Friday night.